On 3 February 2025 the INE reported that Spain received almost 93.8 million international tourists in 2024, up 10%, who spent €126,282 million. Another record, with more debate about its costs.
Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) published the Frontur and Egatur survey data for the whole of 2024 on 3 February 2025. Spain received almost 93.8 million international tourists, 10.1% more than the year before, and their spending reached €126,282 million, up 16.1%. Both figures are records and confirm Spain as the world’s second most visited country, after France, and one of those earning most from tourism.
What we know
The United Kingdom was the largest source market, followed by France and Germany, while tourists from the United States and Latin America grew strongly and spent more per person. Catalonia was the most visited region, with close to 19 million foreign tourists, followed by the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands and Andalusia. Average spending per tourist per day kept rising, partly because of higher accommodation prices.
Tourism accounts for more than 12% of Spain’s GDP and is one of the great engines of employment, above all in hospitality, retail and transport.
The debate
The record came amid an increasingly intense debate about the costs of mass tourism: pressure on housing in cities, overcrowding in some neighbourhoods and natural areas, and water use in drought-hit regions. In 2024 there were protests against the tourism model in Barcelona, the Balearics, the Canaries and Málaga, and several councils and regions tightened rules on tourist flats and visitor taxes.
What it means for a business
For hotels, restaurants, retail and services, demand remains strong, but the regulatory environment is getting tougher: higher tourist taxes, limits on tourist lets and more sustainability requirements. For those investing in tourism-related property, it is worth reviewing licences and local rules, which change quickly. Ask your adviser how it may affect you.
Tourism breaks records every year; the challenge now is for the city to come out ahead too.
This article is general information. It is not legal, tax or investment advice, and it does not take anyone’s particular circumstances into account.
